Where To Stay In Alaska

Alaska is a land of five distinct regions, and four of them account for the majority of tourism. The “Far North” is least visited. The most visited, South Central (Anchorage) and Interior (Denali/Fairbanks), offer a variety of accommodations. With most guided vacations and cruise tours, hotels are selected for you in advance. Your AAA travel agent can give you details on where to stay, depending on the type of trip you choose.

Tourist Class Hotels
You’ll find the major chains represented in Alaska’s main cities, including Sheraton, Marriott and Best Western. Most have free wireless internet available to make it easy to stay in touch. These hotels are more casual than their counterparts (in the Lower 48), both in décor and in the atmosphere itself. One of the highest rated hotels is the Hotel Captain Cook Anchorage, with three towers topped by the famed Crow’s Nest Bar, giving fantastic views of Anchorage and beyond.

Unique Accommodations
Vacation like the locals do and choose from a variety of unique accommodations. The Chena Hot Springs Resort is located on the site of a natural geothermal lake and is completely powered by its energy, plus has a two story structure completely made of ice, including five ice chandeliers, bar stools, and life-sized carvings of bears and knights. You could even renew your vows at the Ice Altar.

Lodges And Cabins
Ranging from remote lodging with rustic rooms and few amenities, to well-appointed accommodations with amazing views, there are many choices in this category. Talk to your AAA travel agent so we can make sure you get the comforts you want and the extras you need (like free wi-fi) so you can fully enjoy your stay. If you’d like to “rough it in comfort,” you may want to consider one of the four Princess Wilderness Lodges—the Kenai Lodge, Copper River Lodge, Mt. McKinley Lodge, and Denali Lodge. All will give you the true feeling of staying in the Alaskan wilderness with comfortable accommodations and fine restaurants. Each one has its own unique highlights. For example, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge is perched over a running river and rooms have real wood-burning pot belly stoves. At the Mt. McKinley Lodge, the mountain is the star attraction, with an expansive outdoor deck to enjoy this amazing sight. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge features a prime riverfront location just across from the Visitors Center of Denali National Park. Watch moose and bear splash in the river; have fun in the Lodge’s onsite shopping district; and experience the “Music of Denali” dinner theatre entertainment.

Cruise Accommodations
If unpacking once and sailing from port to port sounds like an easy way to go, it is. All your meals, accommodations, and onboard entertainment are included in one price. There are a variety of cruise choices, from ultra-luxurious to family friendly. And every port of call offers exciting excursions into the interior. Your AAA travel agent can help you decide what will make your vacation a trip to remember with pleasure.